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Few books capture the raw reality of life with God like the book of Psalms. Through 150 chapters of poetic worship, the reader is brought through the entire spectrum of emotions. Worship, thanksgiving, desperation, hope, grief, affliction and confession are heard in every line. Written and captured over a thousand-year period, the Psalms serve as an ancient Hymnal of Praise to a God who has been almighty from the beginning.
Authors
King David wrote at least 73 of the Psalms. Other authors include Asaph, a Levite in charge of worship in the Tabernacle; Moses, who led the people out of Egypt; ancestors of Korah, the priest under Moses; King Solomon, heir to King David’s throne; and Ethan, the Ezrahite. A few psalms have no authorship attributed to them. Ezra is a good candidate for the final compiler of the Psalter.
Date
Between approx. 1400 and 450 B.C.
Theme
Israel’s Songbook
This is a book of songs that praise God, honor Him, lament circumstances, and yet show confidence in His response and a future hope.
Additional Info
The Greek word psalmos is the translation of the Hebrew designation mismor, meaning “music accompanied by stringed instruments.” The actual Hebrew title for the Book of Psalms is seper tehillim meaning Book of Praises. They were written by individuals over approximately 900 years, then collected and compiled into the five books included in the overall Book of Psalms. Psalm 90, written by Moses about 1405 B.C., is likely the oldest Psalm.
© Dr. Rick Taylor
Resources for Psalms